Well. I'm always learning stuff about what works and what doesn't in the garden, though sometimes it feels like I'm finding out more about what doesn't work than what does. So here are thoughts about what to do next year.
Of course, it's critical to have strong plants - so the germination in sterile medium is key. period.
Next, don't start them too late. They may grow OK, but I am noticing the fruit set is poor now that the weather is hot. This is pretty variable across varieties but I think it's real. For example, I have a late-starting, but healthy, OS plant in my backyard that is not setting any fruit. Exceptions are HC, which is sort of unstoppable once it gets going, and the F1 IRxCP, which seems to have 3-5 fruit per branch in a very similar manner to the IR parent.
ML is supposed to be wilt resistant but I think they are prone to the browning of mature leaves, which is probably fusarium wilt. CP too.
Staking...Well I had a broken pole, so duh, wooden stakes can't last thru 2 seasons. Not much point in the florida weave if the poles break. So I may go to metal poles - at least for the ones at the ends of the rows because they have to hold up the most tension.
If an F2 growout is really to be done, there will have to be a lot of plants and a lot of staking!
Planting things farther apart is important. Mainly, wider rows. Planting stuff close to the "paths" between the plots was not great because they don't get mowed a lot. So that does not allow access.
(Also planting onions 4 in. apart makes it necessary to hand weed a lot. ugh.)
Pruning...There was so much rotting of fruit on the ground that it's just a big waste. Might as well prune aggressively. This should promote upward growth anyway as the plant will put its energy there. I made a note to do this last year but I didn't do it. Mostly because of the time involved I guess. I will have to factor in more time.
Using hay or straw mulch would be a good idea up front for weed control.
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